Masters Courses

Masters Courses At Trinity Seminary

The Masters Courses are listed below, first alphabetically by school, and then by course number. Contact an enrollment advisor for more information, or to sign up for our audit a class.

Administration

AD 504 Effective Communication for LeadershipCredit Hours: 3Course Description: To explore the dynamics of oral and interpersonal communications for the purpose of effective leadership in ministry and the critical nature of effective communication for leadership.

AD 637 Management and Leadership TheoryCredit Hours: 3Course Description: To review and assess classical and contemporary concepts of management and leadership for the study of management and leadership praxis in the church or para-church.

Apologetics

AP 646 Apologetics and Mass Communication Credit Hours: 3Course Description: To give learners a greater understanding of communicating apologetics in a variety of contexts. These contexts include evangelistic preaching, online forms of social media, debate strategy in a variety of formats, and in small group settings.

AP 648 Defense of the ResurrectionCredit Hours: 3Course Description: To gain a greater understanding of the issues involved with the defense of the resurrection of Jesus. Learners will gain a better understanding of historiography, methodology and legitimacy of investigating the resurrection and miracles, and examine the exegetical issues in biblical literature and meaning in other ancient literature to understand what resurrection meant when the disciples proclaimed Jesus rose from the dead.

AP 660 Principles of Contemporary Apologetics Credit Hours: 3Course Description: To investigate the nature and role of the rational defense of the faith and to apply and assess the different methods apologists use to justify Christian belief and turn aside objections to faith.

AP 661 Advanced Topics in Contemporary ApologeticsCredit Hours: 3Course Description: To lead learners to consider classical and special topics in apologetics such as faith and reason, miracles, religious experience, the new atheism, and allied topics of inquiry.

AP 669 Engaging Cults Credit Hours: 3Course Description: To allow learners to gain a robust knowledge of the various Christian Cults that are popular today such as the Mormons, Jehovah’s Witnesses, and others. This class will give a broader and deeper understanding of the issues involved with the beliefs of cults and the best tactics to demonstrate their errors in light of Christian Orthodoxy.

Biblical Counseling

BC 504 Depression and AnxietyCredit Hours: 3Course Description: To survey current views on the causes and treatments for depression and anxiety and to challenge learners to counsel depressed and anxious counselees from a distinctly biblical anthropology, examining these conditions from both spiritual and physiological perspectives.

BC 555 Bereavement CounselingCredit Hours: 3Course Description: To provide learners with an overview of the complex experience of bereavement in order to assist those who are grieving to resolve their grief concerns in a biblical manner.

BC 565 Marriage and Family CounselingCredit Hours: 3Course Description: To provide a context in which learners can relate the basic presuppositions and principles of biblical counseling to the practice of counseling married couples and their children.

BC 574 The Problem of SufferingCredit Hours: 3Course Description: To provide learners with the opportunity to apply the biblical teaching on suffering to a variety of life situations.

BC 640 Master’s Biblical Counseling PracticumCredit Hours: 3Course Description: To provide the opportunity for learners to practice the principles and techniques of biblical counseling learned in previous course work within a structured context.

BC 675 Biblical Foundations for CounselingCredit Hours: 3Course Description: To introduce learners to counseling based on the presuppositions of a biblical worldview.

Biblical Studies

BS 518 Biblical HermeneuticsCredit Hours: 3Course Description: To lead learners to analyze carefully the various viewpoints on key hermeneutical issues, to examine these issues self-consciously in view of the learners’ hermeneutical pre-understanding, and to formulate consistent approaches in areas of general and special hermeneutics.

BS 624 Old Testament BackgroundsCredit Hours: 3Course Description: To gain a better understanding of the social and cultural dimensions of the OldTestament world, as well as explore social scientific models for interpreting the text. This analysis prepares students for gaining a greater understanding in exegesis and theology of the Old Testament as the original audience would have understood it.

BS 625 Social Science Studies of the New TestamentCredit Hours: 3Course Description: To gain a better understanding of the social and cultural dimensions of the New Testament world, as well as explore social scientific models for interpreting the text. This analysis prepares students for gaining a greater understanding in exegesis and theology of the New Testament as the original audience would have understood it.

BS 628 New Testament Use of the Old Testament Credit Hours: 3Course Description: To explore the variety of ways in which the New Testament authors cited, echoed, and alluded to the Old Testament and the manners in which they employed those texts in their writings.

BS 677 Primary Source StudiesCredit Hours: 3Course Description: To investigate the primary sources and backgrounds for the purposes of how this body of literature relates to and contributes to the exegetical and theological dialogs regarding the background of Scripture and issues pertaining to biblical studies.

Christian Counseling

CC 501 Counseling Theories and the Christian CounselorCredit Hours: 3Course Description: To familiarize learners with the major theories of counseling and psychotherapy including an examination of the worldviews and presuppositions of each theories primary founder. To develop in learners the ability to critique each theory from a Christian practitioner perspective for consistency with a Christian worldview and begin the process of evaluation for the integration of psychology and theology.

CC 502 Counseling Techniques and the Helping Relationship for the Christian CounselorCredit Hours: 3Course Description: To examine the core helping skills recognized in most professional helping models and evaluating each skill in light of revealed relational truth found in the Holy Scriptures, placing a special emphasis on the development of a therapeutic relationship with individuals seeking intervention for emotional and spiritual problems.

CC 503 Assessment Skills and Treatment Planning for the Christian CounselorCredit Hours: 3Course Description: To identify the many problem areas for which clients seek intervention and lead learners in developing the skills needed to identify the problems and concerns of their clients in a formal manner that allows the counselor to design, and begin implementation of, an initial treatment plan. Learners will also learn the importance of identifying their limitations and developing a referral network.

CC 504 Marriage Counseling in Christian CounselingCredit Hours: 3Course Description: To provide learners with an overview of major couple counseling theories and techniques and to guide learners in developing the ability to initiate a therapeutic relationship with a couple, clarify problem issues, and design and implement counseling interventions.

CC 505 Ethics for the Christian Counselor Credit Hours: 3Course Description: To introduce learners to the ethical issues they are likely to face in a Christian counseling practice with special emphasis on topics such as regulatory boards, professional associations, scope of practice limitations, and professional licensure requirements.

Christian Education

CE 588 Dynamic Teaching TechniquesCredit Hours: 3Course Description: To give learners a solid grounding in the theory and practice of religious pedagogy, to encourage them to discover and compare various educational models and methods, and to enable them to sharpen their skills in carrying out effective teaching techniques.

CE 609 Studies in Teaching in the Online Classroom Credit Hours: 3Course Description: To investigate various approaches to the teaching methods and group engagement for instruction in online classrooms for the purpose of maximizing resources and the experience of students for optimal learning in this environment.

CE 659 Current Trends and Issues in Christian EducationCredit Hours: 3Course Description: To identify and engage in an analysis of major trends and issues confronting Christian educators serving church and community.

Church History

CH 575 Church HistoryCredit Hours: 3Course Description: To lead learners in a survey, analysis, and evaluation of the development of the church from the end of the New Testament era to the present, considering significant persons, movements, events, and creedal statements.

Christian Literature

CL 602 Creative Writing Within a Christian Worldview Credit Hours: 3Course Description: To help develop in learners greater skills in writing both fiction and non-fiction for a variety of media.

CL 603 Technical and Rhetorical Writing Within a Christian Worldview Credit Hours: 3Course Description: To provide learners with an analysis of the fundamentals and methodologies of writing and communication for technical and rhetorical purposes.

CL 604 Methodologies in Editing Within a Christian Worldview Credit Hours: 3Course Description: To examine the various methods and approaches to editing materials for publication of writings in a variety of media.

CL 605 Writing and Communication PracticumCredit Hours: 3Course Description: To provide learners with an opportunity to prepare written materials for public consumption or other usage in a variety of contexts in order to gain experience in the completion of projects from inception to publication.

Conflict Management

CM 526 Managing ConflictCredit Hours: 3Course Description: To survey the field of conflict management from a Christian perspective by examining Scripture and current scholarship, and by applying knowledge gained to specific areas of congregational discord.

CM 621 Issues in Helping Troubled ChurchesCredit Hours: 3Course Description: To enhance learners in the understanding of the principles of restoring troubled churches through third party mediation.

CM 632 Christian MediationCredit Hours: 3Course Description: To develop an understanding of Christian mediation through examining biblical conflict intervention, evaluating the emerging field of mediation as described in current scholarly literature, and assessing the role of Christian mediation in the church today.

CM 650 Principles of Church DisciplineCredit Hours: 3Course Description: To develop in learners the ability to synthesize the biblical record regarding church discipline; evaluate selected scholarly writings on the subject; and assess the disciplinary measures utilized in their own church/denominational setting.

Digital Ministry

DM 645 Contemporary Christian Digital MinistryCredit Hours: 3Course Description: To provide learners with an understanding of the Christian church in the digital age, a working knowledge of digital technologies and how to use these new tools God has provided for effective and powerful ministry and church growth.

DM 661 Social Media for Pastors and Christian LeadersCredit Hours: 3Course Description: To provide learners with a more robust understanding regarding social media avenues available for pastors and other Christian leaders to effectively apply and use in their ministries.

DM 662 Mobile Ministry for Christian ChurchesCredit Hours: 3Course Description: To learn the effective uses of mobile technologies and also teach learners how to set up, manage, and employ a wide variety of mobile tools available in the digital age.

DM 663 Core Digital Ministry Tools and Technologies Credit Hours: 3Course Description: To enable learners to understand the various digital technologies available, explore their application to digital ministry and the contemporary Christian church and used effectively for preaching, teaching, leadership, community, fellowship, missions, giving, fundraising, and church growth.

DM 664 Starting and Growing a Digital Ministry for Pastors and Christian Leaders Credit Hours: 3Course Description: To teach learners how to set up a digital ministry in their church or Christian organization. This course covers a wide variety of both management, administrative, and digital technology topics all integrated to allow learners to plan, launch, and grow a contemporary Christian digital ministry.

Expository Preaching

EP 670 The Theological Basis for Expository PreachingCredit Hours: 3Course Description: To lead learners to examine and analyze key doctrinal issues for the purpose of enhancing their abilities to evaluate why biblical and theological foundations are the basis of competent expository preaching and to engage learners in the investigation of a variety of theological perspectives.

EP 672 Evangelistic PreachingCredit Hours: 3Course Description: To provide opportunities for learners to relate basic strategies of evangelistic preaching to their pulpit ministries and to examine and analyze the biblical foundation behind the process of leading other people to faith in Christ by using a variety of homiletic techniques.

EP 674 New Testament Expository PreachingCredit Hours: 3Course Description: To enable learners to use their knowledge of the characters, themes, and theology of each book of the New Testament to do competent expository preaching; and to sharpen their ability to analyze and assess character studies, historical developments, and solid interpretation of the text as the foundation for sound expository preaching from the New Testament.

EP 675 Old Testament Expository PreachingCredit Hours: 3Course Description: To enable learners to use their knowledge of the characters, themes, and theology of each book of the Old Testament to do competent expository preaching; and to sharpen their ability to analyze and assess character studies, historical developments, and solid interpretation of the text as the foundation for sound expository preaching from the Old Testament.

EP 695 Contemporary PreachingCredit Hours: 3Course Description: To provide opportunities for learners to relate the elements and principles of preaching to the contemporary generation through their pulpit and public speaking ministries and to examine and analyze both the theological foundations and the communication theory behind the process of preparing and delivering effective biblical messages using a variety of homiletical techniques and designs.

Evangelism

EV 601 Evangelistic MinistryCredit Hours: 3Course Description: To expose learners to a fuller understanding of the biblical foundations of having a ministry of Evangelism in the 21st Century

EV 659 Strategies for Personal EvangelismCredit Hours: 3Course Description: To provide opportunities for learners to apply strategies of evangelism to their personal lives, understand the cultural dynamics for doing evangelism today, and to evaluate the evangelistic work of the church in light of the biblical foundations for evangelism.

Life Coaching

LC 542 The Art of MentoringCredit Hours: 3Course Description: To examine biblical foundations, issues, and principles of mentoring in the church.

LC 601 Principles of Life CoachingCredit Hours: 3Course Description: To give learners a fuller understanding of the basic principles of life coaching as well as instructing them in the effective implementation of the fundamental skills of the discipline.

LC 602 Motivating Youth and Young AdultsCredit Hours: 3Course Description: To provide learners in the necessary skills and tools for life coaching today’s youth and young adults in the various aspects of life regarding faith, family, personal health and wellness, social engagements, peers, education, finances and work.

LC 603 Motivation and Encouragement of Adults Credit Hours: 3Course Description: To provide learners in the necessary skills and tools for life coaching today’s adults and seniors in the various aspects of life regarding faith, marriage, family, career, retirement, finances, personal health and wellness, social engagements, peers, education, and work.

LC 604 Life Coaching Business and Clientele PrinciplesCredit Hours: 3Course Description: To provide learners in the necessary skills and tools for the life coaching business with regards to marketing, growth, and clientele generation and development.

Leadership

LD 500 Strategic Planning for the ChurchCredit Hours: 3Course Description: To prepare learners in the principles and practices of SWOT analysis and strategic planning for deployment in executive ministry leadership positions.

Languages

LG 593 Biblical Hebrew ICredit Hours: 3Course Description: To provide instruction to learners on the fundamentals of Old Testament Hebrew; and to give learners a mastery and facility in relying on and quickly maneuvering through the Hebrew Old Testament by means of a mastery of Hebrew grammar, syntax, and vocabulary.

LG 594 Biblical Hebrew I ICredit Hours: 3Course Description: To provide instruction to learners on the fundamentals of Old Testament Hebrew; and to give learners a mastery and facility in relying on and quickly maneuvering through the Hebrew Old Testament by means of a mastery of Hebrew grammar, syntax, and vocabulary.

LG 693 Greek Grammar Part ICredit Hours: 3Course Description: To provide instruction to learners on the fundamentals of New Testament Greek, with the purpose of instilling in learners a mastery and facility in relying on and quickly maneuvering through the Greek New Testament by means of mastery of Greek grammar, syntax, and vocabulary.

LG 694 Greek Grammar Part I ICredit Hours: 3Course Description: To provide instruction to learners on the fundamentals of New Testament Greek, with the purpose of instilling in learners a mastery and facility in relying on and quickly maneuvering through the Greek New Testament by means of mastery of Greek grammar, syntax, and vocabulary.

New Testament

NT 506 The Gospel of Luke Credit Hours: 3Course Description: To encourage learners in an in-depth study of specific literary, theological, and historical aspects of the Gospel of Luke such as structure and purpose, Luke as historian and theologian, irony in Luke, the genealogies in Matthew and Luke, etc.

NT 545 The Book Of ActsCredit Hours: 3Course Description: To enable learners to understand the book of Acts as a sequel to the Gospel of Luke; to evaluate the literary, historical, and theological perspective of Acts; to analyze key-texts and critically evaluate various interpretations of them.

NT 611 The Synoptic Authors: In Depth StudyCredit Hours: 3Course Description: To lead learners in an exegetical and theological study of the Gospel of Matthew, Gospel of Mark, Gospel of Luke, and the Book of Acts. This course will cover all the relevant background information to these books of the Bible as well as engage in careful analysis of the text.

NT 612 The Johannine Literature: In Depth StudyCredit Hours: 3Course Description: To lead learners in an exegetical and theological study of the Gospel of John, 1 John, 2 John, 3 John, and Revelation. This course will cover all the relevant background information to these books of the Bible as well as engage in careful analysis of the text.

NT 613 The Pauline Literature I: In Depth StudyCredit Hours: 3Course Description: To lead learners in an exegetical and theological study of the Book of Romans, 1 Corinthians, and 2 Corinthians. This course will cover all the relevant background information to these books of the Bible as well as engage in careful analysis of the text.

NT 614 The Pauline Literature I I: In Depth StudyCredit Hours: 3Course Description: To lead learners in an exegetical and theological study of the Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, Philemon, 1 Thessalonians, 2 Thessalonians, 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, and Titus. This course will cover all the relevant background information to these books of the Bible as well as engage in careful analysis of the text.

NT 615 The General Epistles: In Depth StudyCredit Hours: 3Course Description: To lead learners in an exegetical and theological study of the Books of Hebrews, James, 1 Peter, Second Peter, and Jude. This course will cover all the relevant background information to these books of the Bible as well as engage in careful analysis of the text.

Old Testament

OT 525 The Pentateuch: In Depth Study Credit Hours: 3Course Description: To lead learners in an exegetical and theological study of Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. This course will cover all the relevant background information to these books of the Bible as well as engage in careful analysis of the text.

OT 526 The Historical Books: In Depth StudyCredit Hours: 3Course Description: To lead learners in an exegetical and theological study of Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1st and 2nd Samuel, 1st and 2nd Kings, 1st and 2nd Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther. This course will cover all the relevant background information to these books of the Bible as well as engage in careful analysis of the text.

OT 527 The Poetic and Wisdom Writings: In Depth StudyCredit Hours: 3Course Description: To lead learners in an exegetical and theological study of Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Solomon. This course will cover all the relevant background information to these books of the Bible as well as engage in careful analysis of the text.

OT 528 The Major Prophets: In Depth StudyCredit Hours: 3Course Description: To lead learners in an exegetical and theological study of Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, and Daniel. This course will cover all the relevant background information to these books of the Bible as well as engage in careful analysis of the text.

OT 529 The Minor Prophets: In Depth StudyCredit Hours: 3Course Description: To lead learners in an exegetical and theological study of Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi. This course will cover all the relevant background information to these books of the Bible as well as engage in careful analysis of the text.

OT 688 The Book of Isaiah Credit Hours: 3Course Description: To give learners more exposure to this book of prophecy, its historical setting, authorship and composition, its various features and content, and to understand the Messianic prophecies contained therein.

PC 603 Ministry to Prisoner’s FamiliesCredit Hours: 3Course Description: To engage learners in critically examination of the theories, methods, application, and issues in ministering to family of prisoners.

Philosophy

PH 501 History of PhilosophyCredit Hours: 3Course Description: To provide opportunities for the graduate learner to examine the lives and motivations of the originators of contemporary philosophical and religious thinking. To provide a backdrop for understanding the great movements of thought which have intersected with the Church, sometimes to its peril and at other times its enrichment.

PH 519 Major World ReligionsCredit Hours: 3Course Description: To provide opportunities for learners to examine and analyze the characteristics of different religions so that learners may be able to apply this knowledge to an understanding of the world today and how the Christian faith can affect this world.

PH 566 The Philosophical Problem of EvilCredit Hours: 3Course Description: To estimate the different merits and values of traditional and contemporary responses to the problem of evil and approaches to theodicy so that learners can analyze the various beliefs in Christian theism, construct viable options in theodicy, and show that these options are consistent and harmonious with other beliefs that (evangelical) Christians hold.

PH 589 Systematic LogicCredit Hours: 3Course Description: To familiarize learners with the elements of beginning and intermediate logic, and challenge learners to analyze arguments in a more rigorous way, while developing the ability to determine whether an argument is “good” or “bad.”

PH 601 Ethics in the Christian TraditionCredit Hours: 3Course Description: To judge with keener perception the underlying principles which govern both the best and the worst of ethical reflection in our time.

PH 617 Philosophy of Omniscience and Providence Credit Hours: 3Course Description: To examine in greater detail the various philosophical understandings of divine omniscience, providence, human agency, and the theological and philosophical implications involved with each of the various views.

Pastoral Ministry

PM 530 Issues in the Modern ChurchCredit Hours: 3Course Description: To provide learners with a fuller understanding of the various contemporary, cultural, and theological issues facing the church in the 21st century.

PM 541 Theology of MinistryCredit Hours: 3Course Description: To help learners synthesize theological and biblical foundations with ministry praxis and create their own theology of ministry, taking into account biblical and theological insights concerning God, spiritual formation, church, and ministry.

PM 594 Ministry and Contextualization Credit Hours: 3Course Description: To develop learners in the primary skills in implementing the concepts of contextualizing theology and congregational development for impacting various local and global communities.

PM 611 Sunday School and Small Group DevelopmentCredit Hours: 3Course Description: To instill in learners the fundamentals of developing and growing effective Sunday School classes and Small Groups in the areas of discipleship, knowledge of Scripture, and training teachers to lead.

Research and Writing

RW 605 Master’s ThesisCredit Hours: 3Course Description: To facilitate the development of a Thesis, Capstone Project, Major Writing Project, or Dissertation that demonstrates the student’s ability to do scholarly research and application of findings for current and future ministries.

RW 610 Understanding Bibliographic ResearchCredit Hours: 3Course Description: To develop in learners the ability to use bibliographic research methods in exploring a chosen topic; learners will explore how to find and analyze precedent literature, how to develop a thesis and supporting arguments, and how to communicate research findings through a logical and structured document.

Spiritual Formation

SF 502 Spiritual WarfareCredit Hours: 1Course Description: To instill in learners the various methods and strategies in spiritual warfare for spiritual growth.

SF 503 Prayer and Personal HolinessCredit Hours: 1Course Description: To provide learners with the opportunity to examine personal holiness as it has come down through Christian history and their relevance for the contemporary Christian.

SF 504 Accountability and DiscipleshipCredit Hours: 1Course Description: To provide learners with the biblical concepts and current models of accountability and discipleship for personal and corporate spiritual growth and development.

Theology

TH 511 Theology ICredit Hours: 3Course Description: To lead learners in summarization and analysis of the biblical data and the development of Christian thought concerning the doctrines of Scripture, theology proper, angels, man, and sin.

TH 512 Theology I ICredit Hours: 3Course Description: To lead learners in summarization and analysis of the biblical data and the development of Christian thought concerning the doctrines of Christ, the Holy Spirit, salvation, the church, and last things.

TH 533 New Testament TheologyCredit Hours: 3Course Description: To lead learners in summarization and analysis and evaluation of the theological themes of the New Testament.

TH 545 Principles of Contemporary TheologyCredit Hours: 3Course Description: To lead learners in analysis and evaluation from a biblical perspective of the various expressions of contemporary theology.

TH 683 Old Testament TheologyCredit Hours: 3Course Description: To encourage learners to understand the Old Testament background of Jesus’ ministry, the evangelistic purpose that God gave to Israel, key authors in the field of Old Testament theology, and key motifs in the study of the Old Testament.

Worship Arts

WA 553 Digital Filming and Photography Credit Hours: 3Course Description: To enable learners in the various techniques of modern digital filming and photography in order to utilize these aspects for a multimedia Christian ministry.

WA 554 Digital Audio Editing and Software Credit Hours: 3Course Description: To enable learners in the various techniques of modern audio editing and other digital audio workstation software in order to utilize these aspects for a multimedia Christian ministry.

WA 555 Digital Video Editing and SoftwareCredit Hours: 3Course Description: To enable learners in the various techniques of modern video editing in the lastest software in order to utilize these aspects for a multimedia Christian ministry.

WA 556 Graphic Design and SoftwareCredit Hours: 3Course Description: To enable learners in the various techniques of modern graphic design using the latest software in order to utilize these aspects for a multimedia Christian ministry.